This paper presents results of a 2-year study on the impact of physical and chemical characteristics of the subsoil on the herbaceous composition of a sports field turf at the Centre for Sport and Recreation in Olsztyn. Samples of soil for physical and chemical analyses as well as samples of plant material for botanical and weight analyses were collected from the top soil (0- 15 cm) and drainage layer (15-30 cm) at five sampling points across the sports field. The physical parameters were determined with the methods used in soil science studies. The mass loss during furnace drying was assumed to represent the content of organic matter. The following were analyzed: the hydrolytic acidity of soil, content of organic carbon in soil and concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, as well as phytoavailable macro- and micronutrients (P, K, Mg, Cu, Mn, Fe and Zn) determined in 0.5 mol HCl dm -3 . Detailed botanical and weight analysis of plant material was performed. The results were statistically processed with Statistica 10.0 software. It was shown that the top soil of the sports field had a grain-size composition of poor loamy sand, whereas the drainage layer resembled loose sand and poor loamy sand. The content of floatable parts in excess of the standard value as well as the physical properties such as bulk density, specific density and porosity indicate high compactness and density of the subsoil. It was demonstrated that the top soil had an average-to-high content of phosphorus and magnesium, low-to-average content of potassium, average concentrations of copper, manganese and iron, and a high content of zinc. A high turf share of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds in the sward, which are resistant to treading, indicates excessive load and high compactness of the sports field as well as worse physical and chemical properties of the subsoil.

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